Information On Hypoglycemia
What is Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)?
The brain requires glucose (blood sugar) for normal functioning, and unlike many other organs, the brain has a very limited ability to
store glucose. As such, the brain is the organ that is most affected when blood sugar gets too low. Low blood sugar can cause seizures.
Puppies, especially small breed puppies, are particularly susceptible to low blood sugar because their liver is not able to store sufficient amounts
of glycogen, as compared with older dogs. Hypoglycemia can be a life threatening, even fatal, condition. It is known to be a cause of
canine seizures. The occurrence of symptoms depends on how far, and how fast, the blood sugar has dropped.
store glucose. As such, the brain is the organ that is most affected when blood sugar gets too low. Low blood sugar can cause seizures.
Puppies, especially small breed puppies, are particularly susceptible to low blood sugar because their liver is not able to store sufficient amounts
of glycogen, as compared with older dogs. Hypoglycemia can be a life threatening, even fatal, condition. It is known to be a cause of
canine seizures. The occurrence of symptoms depends on how far, and how fast, the blood sugar has dropped.
Treating Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)
During an attack of hypoglycemia your goal is to stay calm, to bring the blood glucose back
to a safe level, to continue to observe your dog. You can contact your veterinarian if you feel you need to. There are
several things you can use to raise the blood sugar level quickly. We recommend Nutri-Cal (found in most pet stores).
But, there are household alternatives such as Ice Cream, Corn Syrup, or Honey. For this article, we will use Nutri-Cal but the amounts
of product and the usage are essentially the same. Another great thing to have on hand is a form of electrolytes (Pedialyte or Re-Vibe)
because at this point, your dog is likely suffering from dehydration as well.
Severe Hypoglycemia: If your dog is severely hypoglycemic, especially if it is having seizures or unconscious, you must give Nutri-Cal and electrolytes immediately. Carefully rub small amounts of Nutri-Cal on the inside of the cheeks and gums. Also use a syringe and dribble electrolytes into the dog's mouth. Do not put a lot of liquid in the dog's mouth, and be sure the dog does not choke. Do not stick your fingers inside the teeth of a dog that is having seizures - you may get bitten. Then, call your veterinarian if you feel you need further guidance. If your dog continues to be unconscious your dog should be taken to the veterinary emergency room immediately.
Moderate Hypoglycemia: Nutri-Cal should be given, either alone, or combined with food. It can be mixed in with wet food or drizzled over dry food, or simply given orally using your finger. The Nutri-Cal will help bring the blood glucose up quickly, and the food will help keep the blood sugar elevated for a longer period of time.
Mild hypoglycemia: If your dog's blood sugar is only slightly low or if it is showing only mild signs of hypoglycemia, you can often treat it by immediately feeding the dog some of its regular food (or soft food). You will need to observe your dog for several hours in order to make sure the hypoglycemia does not occur again.
***** AMOUNTS OF PRODUCT *****
Small dogs should be given about 1 teaspoon in total (one finger full at a time)
Medium dogs 2 - 3 teaspoons in total
Larger dogs should get at least 1-2 tablespoons
More ice cream is not better and will usually cause more problems so be sure and measure the amounts carefully.
to a safe level, to continue to observe your dog. You can contact your veterinarian if you feel you need to. There are
several things you can use to raise the blood sugar level quickly. We recommend Nutri-Cal (found in most pet stores).
But, there are household alternatives such as Ice Cream, Corn Syrup, or Honey. For this article, we will use Nutri-Cal but the amounts
of product and the usage are essentially the same. Another great thing to have on hand is a form of electrolytes (Pedialyte or Re-Vibe)
because at this point, your dog is likely suffering from dehydration as well.
Severe Hypoglycemia: If your dog is severely hypoglycemic, especially if it is having seizures or unconscious, you must give Nutri-Cal and electrolytes immediately. Carefully rub small amounts of Nutri-Cal on the inside of the cheeks and gums. Also use a syringe and dribble electrolytes into the dog's mouth. Do not put a lot of liquid in the dog's mouth, and be sure the dog does not choke. Do not stick your fingers inside the teeth of a dog that is having seizures - you may get bitten. Then, call your veterinarian if you feel you need further guidance. If your dog continues to be unconscious your dog should be taken to the veterinary emergency room immediately.
Moderate Hypoglycemia: Nutri-Cal should be given, either alone, or combined with food. It can be mixed in with wet food or drizzled over dry food, or simply given orally using your finger. The Nutri-Cal will help bring the blood glucose up quickly, and the food will help keep the blood sugar elevated for a longer period of time.
Mild hypoglycemia: If your dog's blood sugar is only slightly low or if it is showing only mild signs of hypoglycemia, you can often treat it by immediately feeding the dog some of its regular food (or soft food). You will need to observe your dog for several hours in order to make sure the hypoglycemia does not occur again.
***** AMOUNTS OF PRODUCT *****
Small dogs should be given about 1 teaspoon in total (one finger full at a time)
Medium dogs 2 - 3 teaspoons in total
Larger dogs should get at least 1-2 tablespoons
More ice cream is not better and will usually cause more problems so be sure and measure the amounts carefully.
Signs & Symptoms Of Low Blood Sugar
Convulsions or seizures, coma, lack of energy, weakness, head tilting, hunger
restlessness, shivering, disorientation, stiff jaw, or stupor.
Also Ataxia, meaning the body is out of balance; wobbling when walking; usually lack of muscular
coordination, but maybe changes in head and neck movements.
restlessness, shivering, disorientation, stiff jaw, or stupor.
Also Ataxia, meaning the body is out of balance; wobbling when walking; usually lack of muscular
coordination, but maybe changes in head and neck movements.
Common Causes Of Low Blood Sugar
Meal spacing (not eating often enough): To keep blood sugar levels at a normal range, you need to feed three to four meals per day:
breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bed. Divide the daily amount of food into 3 or 4 portions. If your work keep you from giving a
lunchtime meal make sure you give a meal at bedtime. Or simply give your dog access to food 24/7.
Lack of protein: Dogs are carnivores and their diets need to be a minimum of 30 - 50 percent protein. Sources of protein are
meat, chicken, fish, cheese and eggs.
Exercise: Too much exercise can cause hypoglycemia. If it is out of the ordinary, even a small amount of exercise can cause
hypoglycemia in some dogs. It is very easy for puppies to go hypoglycemic if they've been playing too hard and too long.
breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bed. Divide the daily amount of food into 3 or 4 portions. If your work keep you from giving a
lunchtime meal make sure you give a meal at bedtime. Or simply give your dog access to food 24/7.
Lack of protein: Dogs are carnivores and their diets need to be a minimum of 30 - 50 percent protein. Sources of protein are
meat, chicken, fish, cheese and eggs.
Exercise: Too much exercise can cause hypoglycemia. If it is out of the ordinary, even a small amount of exercise can cause
hypoglycemia in some dogs. It is very easy for puppies to go hypoglycemic if they've been playing too hard and too long.
Be Prepared
Always keep a small container of plain vanilla ice cream, Nutri-Cal, Nutri-Stat, Corn Syrup, or Honey to give your dog after a seizure to restore blood
sugar levels. If you see your dog shaking or having focal seizures, a SMALL amount of Nutri-Cal may be helpful.
For amounts see AMOUNTS OF PRODUCT above.
*****WHENEVER IN DOUBT YOU CAN GIVE A SMALL AMOUNT OF NUTRI-CAL TO THE DOG AS A PRECAUTION*****
If your dog has a tendency towards low blood sugar after a seizure and you travel or take your dog on rides, carry honey or corn
syrup with you whenever you take your dog out of the house, even for a short walk. In an emergency, you don't want to be
searching for sugar and honey or corn syrup are good substitutes for Nutri-Cal.
Here are some ways to carry honey or corn syrup in your purse, pocket, doggie pack, or car:
Use small screw-top plastic bottles from a sporting goods store or "travel-size" plastic bottles from the drug store, packets of honey, fill a
1-ml syringe (no needle) with honey. With a syringe, it is easy to get the syrup in the mouth without being bitten.
sugar levels. If you see your dog shaking or having focal seizures, a SMALL amount of Nutri-Cal may be helpful.
For amounts see AMOUNTS OF PRODUCT above.
*****WHENEVER IN DOUBT YOU CAN GIVE A SMALL AMOUNT OF NUTRI-CAL TO THE DOG AS A PRECAUTION*****
If your dog has a tendency towards low blood sugar after a seizure and you travel or take your dog on rides, carry honey or corn
syrup with you whenever you take your dog out of the house, even for a short walk. In an emergency, you don't want to be
searching for sugar and honey or corn syrup are good substitutes for Nutri-Cal.
Here are some ways to carry honey or corn syrup in your purse, pocket, doggie pack, or car:
Use small screw-top plastic bottles from a sporting goods store or "travel-size" plastic bottles from the drug store, packets of honey, fill a
1-ml syringe (no needle) with honey. With a syringe, it is easy to get the syrup in the mouth without being bitten.
